India handed Nepal a 10-wicket humiliating defeat in the fifth fixture of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
After continuous showers throughout the day, the match was reduced to 23 overs.
Indian opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill comfortably chased the target as both batters completed fifties and cemented their side’s place in the Super Four.
Sharma played a blistering knock scoring 74 off 59 balls which included six fours and five sixes while Gill scored 67 off 62 with nine boundaries.
India’s previous game against Pakistan on Saturday (September 2) was called off due to rain. The Green Shirts did not play a single ball and the points were shared.
Tonight’s loss means Nepal — who were playing their first Asia Cup ever —are out of the tournament.
Earlier in the first innings, Aasif Sheikh and Sompal Kami fought back and helped Nepal set up a competitive total of 231 runs against India in the fifth match of the tournament.
The Asia Cup debutants got off to a lucky start as the Blues dropped three catches in the first five overs and bottled their chance to have a dream start.
The opening duo of Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh scored 65 runs before Shardul Thakur struck to provide the first breakthrough to India.
Aasif played a responsible knock where he completed his well-deserved fifty but the right-handed batter fell to Mohammad Siraj for 58 runs.
After Aasif’s wicket, Nepal kept on losing wickets at intervals but it was Kami who took his team over the line and played a crucial knock of 48 off 56 deliveries.
Dipendra Singh Aree and Gulshan Jha also played important cameos scoring 29 and 23 runs, respectively.
Lineups
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj
Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel (c), Sompal Kami, Gulsan Jha, Bhim Sharki, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi